CHAPTER 17
As Sunday school let out, Beth was surprised to see Lynn coming down the church hallway. Beth’s last text of the night had invited her to join them for church and lunch, but when she checked her phone this morning, the only message waiting was from Bryce.
Tami, the pastor’s wife, stopped Lynn to say hello, and Beth turned at the sound of her name. Three older church ladies waved her over, and with a nod in Lynn’s direction, Beth made her way toward them.
Jackie, as always, was polished to perfection—bleached blonde hair freshly styled, manicured nails flashing as she gestured.
Jodi, in contrast, was all soft angles, her dark-rimmed glasses emphasizing her pale complexion and brown hair cut like a mushroom.
Then there was Darla, the sweetest and most genuine of all three of them.
Her Texas roots were evident in her big brown hair always teased and sprayed in the shape of a football helmet—without the face guard.
She had known these women most of her life.
They were the pillars of the church, the ones she’d always looked up to as the “older, wiser, women” the book of Timothy referenced.
They had a way of always being there—celebrating joys, offering comfort in hardships.
After the whirlwind of marrying Bryce, Beth had been looking forward to seeing these familiar, friendly faces.
“BETH!” Jackie exclaimed, pulling her into a lavender-scented hug. Jodi and Darla followed suit, each smelling of a different floral perfume.
“It’s so good to see you!” Jackie cooed, her tone just a little too bright.
Beth smiled. “It’s good to see you, too. How were your weeks?” She looked at all three expectantly.
“Not as busy as yours!” Jackie spoke for the group, her voice laced with something Beth couldn’t quite place.
Beth blinked. “My week?” She was genuinely surprised they had already heard—especially since the service wouldn’t start for another 20 minutes. Pastor Steve had only just asked if he could mention their elopement during the announcements this morning.
Jackie gave a slow, knowing smile. “God must have laid
you on our hearts, dear.”
Darla patted Beth’s cheek. “We all need extra prayers from time to time.”
Beth relaxed slightly. “That’s so true.”
Jackie’s smile sharpened. “Especially when we’ve stepped out of the will of God.”
The words hit like a slap. Beth’s breath caught, head lowered in shame, tears stinging her eyes. She barely noticed the way the three women exchanged glances, a silent message passing between them.
Lynn saw it though.
From down the hall, she recognized it for what it was—lionesses on the prowl.
Lynn tried, unsuccessfully, to excuse herself from her conversation with Tami. Meanwhile, Jackie changed tactics in the blink of Beth’s tear-filled eyes.
“Are you… coming from teaching Sunday school?”
Beth frowned at the abrupt topic change. “Yes, I teach the fourth and fifth graders.”
Jodi and Darla exchanged glances.
Jackie’s head tilted. “Do you think you should be doing that right now, in your situation?”
Beth’s stomach dropped. “What do you mean?”
Darla hesitated, then spoke gently, as if trying to cushion the blow. “Sweetheart, in light of your recent… condition… do you really think you should be teaching?”
Beth’s confusion deepened.
Jackie gave a slow, deliberate smile, her tone taking on the kind of measured patience reserved for wayward children.
“What Darla is trying to say, Beth dear,” she began, voice smooth but unmistakably sharp, “is that in light of your recent… activities… do you really believe you’re the best person to be molding the young minds of this church?”
Beth’s stomach twisted, but she said nothing.
“In leadership,” Jackie continued, “one must always be mindful of how we live our lives and whether our actions cause others to stumble.” She gave a small, knowing shake of her head. “We know about your marriage to that young man you brought to church last Sunday.”
Beth’s breath hitched.
“We’re sure you would never want to lead one of your students astray.
” Jackie let out a heavy sigh, her lips curving into a pitying smile.
“So, I’m sure you can understand why we feel it would be best for you to step down from teaching…
at least until you get your life and your priorities back in line with the Word of God. ”
She paused, her hands falling unnaturally still. Then, as if to seal her judgment, Jackie reached forward and tapped Beth on the breastbone with the edge of her Bible.
The weight of the moment pressed down on Beth’s chest.
Her voice was quiet, hesitant. “You don’t think I should teach Sunday school… because I got married?”
Jackie gave an exaggerated sigh, pressing her hand to her chest. “It’s not that you got married, Beth. It’s why you got married.”
Beth’s breath came short at the venomous tone. “What does that mean?”
Jodi’s lips curled.
“You know.” Darla pressed a hand to her mouth and nodded toward Beth’s stomach, eyes wide in exaggerated innocence.
It took a second for Beth to understand.
Then her world tilted.
She sucked in a sharp breath. “You think…I’m—?”
Jackie reached out, patted Beth’s arm, then quickly withdrew her hand, brushing her fingers off like she’d touched something unclean. With a sigh, she made her final move.
“It breaks my heart to say this,” Jackie said, tapping a set of perfectly manicured nails against her chest. “Especially since I’ve been a friend of your mothers for years and have watched you grow up in this church. But I feel it is my duty. After all, I am the head of the shower committee.”
She paused dramatically, letting the weight of her words settle. Then, with an equally dramatic sigh, she raised her voice—just enough to ensure the entire fellowship hall could hear her next words.
“We will not be able to host your baby shower—you understand, of course. Church showers are exclusively for women who do not conceive their babies out of wedlock.”
The whispers started as a ripple, then spread through the fellowship hall.
Beth went rigid, heat flooding her face. As gasps and whispered conversations rippled through the room. Beth received more than a few wide-eyed looks from the parents of her Sunday school students.
Beth stood, speechless and pale, unable to process how these women—leaders of the church—could speak to her this way.
As awareness of her surroundings returned, it hit her.
This wasn’t just a conversation. They had timed their words with precision, ensuring her humiliation was as public as possible.
The shame burned, searing her soul. Beth’s hand rested over her heart, as if trying to relieve the pressure.
Tami stood with her jaw hanging open. The only one not left speechless—or whispering behind cupped hands—was Lynn. She sauntered over to Jackie, her eyes blazing with anger. An evil smile curved her lips.
“Bravo.” Lynn began to slow clap, right in Jackie’s face.
Jackie stiffened, nostrils flaring, chin lifting.
“I see you haven’t changed much. Though,” Lynn gave her a once-over, “actually, I take that back. Looks like you’ve put on some weight. Good for you! You must be getting a handle on your bulimia.”
“Lynn!” Beth gasped.
Jackie’s eyes flashed, but her voice came out smooth and condescending. “Clearly, all your years of rebellion have corrupted your sister. Are you proud?”
Lynn tilted her head, feigning deep thought. “Clearly, all your years of helping with church pageants have made you a drama queen. Sadly, I think you’ve been misunderstanding the sermons. As a Christian, you’re NOT supposed to gossip—not the other way around.”
She lifted her hands in mock consolation. “I know, it’s probably confusing for you.”
Jackie opened her mouth, but Lynn’s hand shot up, stopping her before she could get a word in.
“The other thing you’re so obviously confused about is which Stoner sister you’re gossiping about.
” Lynn’s voice rang out, sharp and confident.
She turned her gaze to the small crowd still watching.
“Anyone who actually knows my sister knows she would never get into bed with a man before she had a ring on her finger.”
She let that settle, her voice dropping lower. “Never.”
Jodi and Darla took an instinctive step backward.
Then, without breaking eye contact, Lynn repeated Jackie’s earlier insult—reaching out, touching Jackie’s arm, then dramatically brushing her hands off on her colorful bell-bottoms.
Her voice took on that same pointed lilt Jackie had used as she delivered the final blow.
“It’s got to kill you not knowing all the juicy details of my sister’s marriage. Which is probably why you used your dirty little imagination to embarrass Beth.”
Gasps. Louder than before.
Lynn didn’t stop. Didn’t lower her voice. She was done with this woman.
“I still remember the ‘words of wisdom’ you imparted on me—in private—at my graduation party.” She tilted her head. “What were they again? Oh, right—” Lynn gasped, mocking realization.
“You swore I would be addicted to drugs or homeless and pregnant before my 20th birthday.”
She paused, then did a full pirouette, throwing her arms up with a dramatic flair.
“Look at me now—twenty-one. Not homeless. Not pregnant. Not a druggie.”
Lynn’s smirk sharpened. “You were wrong then, just like you’re wrong now.”
Jackie’s face was stone, but her true colors bled through as she pointed one last time at Beth.
“You might want to think about taking some time away from the church as you attempt to get your life back in order with the Word of God.”
Then, with a menacing glance at Lynn, Jackie spun on the heel of her designer stilettos, sending Darla and Jodi scrambling to follow.
Lynn wasn’t done.
“That’s great advice, Jackie,” she called after them, voice dripping with sarcasm. “After all, who in their right mind would ever dream of coming to a church to work things out with God?”
More gasps.
Beth’s head was spinning. She barely had time to process what had just happened before Lynn casually flipped up both middle fingers at their retreating backs.
“Lynn!” Beth gasped.
Lynn just grinned. “What?”
Beth shook her head, too stunned to respond.